Ruling Deals Blow to Ray Charles Charity in Copyright Case

The Ray Charles Foundation says it will appeal a federal court ruling awarding copyrights on some 60 classic Charles songs to seven of his children, a decision that could spell a major financial loss for the charity, Billboard reports.

The Jan. 28 ruling is the latest salvo in a long-running legal battle over rights to the iconic soul singer's works, most of which he left to his charity. The foundation sued the Charles siblings last year after they sought to terminate or transfer the copyrights.

U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins said the foundation did not have legal standing to challenge the children's filing.